Automatic starting system and means for hydrocarbon engines



P 1934- K. E. LYMAN 1,972,781

AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM AND MEANS FOR HYDROCARBON ENGINES Filed Dec. 5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 4, 1934. K E LY 1,972,781

AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM AND MEANS FOR HYDROCARBON ENGINES Filed Dec. 5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented 4, 1934 AUTGIVIATEC STARTENG S Y S T E M A. N D MEANS FGR HYDROCARBON ENGHNES Kenneth E. Lyman, Rockford, lliL, assignor to Borg- Warner Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corpcraticn of Illinois Application December 5, 1932, Serial No. 645,726

9 Claims.

This invention relates to the automatic startof hydrocarbon engines, particularly engines provided with a starting rnctor arrangement in which a lever is operable to first shift the motor int 1 mesh with the engine gear and then to close the motor circuit controlling switch, the object being to provide electromagnetic means automatically controlled by the condition of the engine to control the actuation of the starting inotor controlling ever.

An important object of the invention is to provide electromagnetic means for positively actuating the starting motor lever in both directions, that is, both for driving connection of the starting motor with the engine, and the disconnection from the engine, without depending upon springs for eifecting the disconnection.

A further object is to provide switch mechanism conjcintly controll d electromagnetically mechanically to in turn control the electrical circuit for the lever actuatin electromagnet, 'th the electromagnetic control of the switch rnechanisa depending upon the condition of operation of the engine and the mechanical control e switch mechanism dependent upon the operation of the starting motor controlling lever by the electromagnet actuating means therefor.

A further object is to interpose a one-way con- .ection or overrunning clutch between the motor 9 shaft and the motor driving pinion whereby the pinion, after engagement with and starting of the engine, may be rotated by the engine gear independently of the motor shaft until the pinion has been positively unmeshed from the engine gear, in order to prevent injury to the starting motor.

The various fea'm'es of my invention are incorporated in the tructure and arrangement disclosed on the drawings, in which drawings:

Figure l a side elevation of an engine showing iny improved controlling apparatus mounted there 11;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the star ng motor with part of its frame and the 45 frame in section and with the actuating 'nagnet and electromagnetic switch mechanism 12 ore or less diagrammatically illustrated, and showing also the interconnecting electrical circuits;

ure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 but showthe positions of the parts while the engine is ng started by t e I Figure "l is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the positions and arrangement of the various parts immediately after the engine has been started and with the motor about to be disconnected from the engine;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical diametral section of a circuit controlling vacuum responsive device; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged interview of the run over clutch interposed between the motor shaft and the motor driving pinion.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l more or less diagrammatically indicates a hydrocarbon engine E having the intake manifold to which fuel is supplied by the carburetor ll, the starting motor M being associated with the engine and controlled by m chanism designated as a whole by C.

The starting motor shown has the armature shaft 12 projecting through the compartments l3 and ii in the frame 15, the engine starting gear ring 16 extending into the compartment l l. Mounted on the shaft 12 within the compartment 13 is the hub sleeve 17 which at its inner end has bearing in the cross wall 18 between the compartments, the hub at its outer end carrying the disc 19 having irciunferential groove 20. A key 21 secures the hub to the shaft for rotation therewith but for permitting lon itudinal shift of the hub on the shaft. Within the compartment i is a one-way connection or over running clutch comp 'ising the cam member 22 secured to the inner end of the hub sleeve, and the cylindrical shell 23 surrounding the cam member and having the hub 24 jcurnaled on the inner end of the sleeve 17, to which hub is secured the driving pinion 25. Elie cam member 22 has the cam notches 26 spaced around its periphery in each of which is a clutch member shown in the form of a ball 27. An annular plate 28 is secured to the outer end of the shell 23 and overlaps the cam rnein. er so that the cam member is confined within the sh ll. Referring to Figure 6, when the shaft 12 and the cam member 22 are rotated in clockwise direction the clutch balls will wedge between the cam member and shell and the shell will rotate with the shaft. Upon rotation of the shaft in the opposite direc tion the clutch balls will be released and the shell may rotate independently of the shaft and cam member in clockwise direction. When the sleeve 1'7 with the clutch structure thereon is shifted toward the gear ring 16 the pinion v will mesh with the gear ring for starting of the engine when the motor circuit is closed, and after starting of the engine the pinion and clutch shell may rotate independently of the sleeve and the motor shaft until the motor circuit is interrupted and the pinion is withdrawn from the gear ring.

A spring 29 encircling the sleeve 17 between the disc 19 and the wall 18 resists inward shifting of the sleeve and normally holds it in outer position with the pinion unmeshed from the gear ring 16 and with the clutch shell against the wall 18, as shown in Figure 2. Extendmg into the compartment 13 through an opening is a lever 31 journaled intermediate its ends on a shaft 31 and forked at its innerend the legs 33 and 33 having cylindrical pins '34 fat their ends for engaging at diametrically o posite points in the groove 20 of the disc 19 so that when the lever is rotatedthe, disc, and sleeve .17 may be shifted inwardly against the force of the spring 29 to eifect meshing engagement of the pinion. 25 with the gear ring 16, as shown in Figure 3.

Mounted on the frame of the motor M is a switch box 35 from which extends a switch plug 36 into the path of an'abutment 37 extending from the lever 31 above its fulcrum. A spring 38 tends to hold the switch plug in outer or circuit opening position, and the spacing of the plug relative to the lug 37 is such that when the lever is rotated the sleeve 17 will be shifted for meshing the pinion 25. with the gear ring 16 whereafter the abutment lug will depress the switch plug for closure of the motor circuit. When the plug is shifted in it will electrically connect contacts 39 and 40, the contact 39 having the terminal post 41 mounted on the outside of the switch box 35 and the contact 46 connecting with one terminal of the motor windings 'whose' other terminals are grounded,

the terminal post 41 being connected by a conductor 42- with the positive pole of the battery B whose other terminal is grounded.

For operating the lever 31 for positive connection or disconnection'of the motor relative to the engine I provide an electromagnetic actuating structure designated as a whole A. This structure comprises a spool 43 of non-magnetic material on which winding sections or coils 44 and 44' are applied and in the bore of the spool an armature or core 45 is shiftable when the coils are energized. A stem 46 extends from the armature and at its outer end carries a clevis 47 which receives and is pivoted to the upper end of the lever 31 by a pin 48. When the lever 31 is in retracted position and the motor is disconnected the armature 45 is centered relative to the coil 43' and then, upon current fiowthrough the winding 44, the armature will be attracted and shifted to center relative to the coil 44, such shift of the armature causing rotation of the lever 31 for driving connection of the motor with the engine and for closure thereafter of the motor circuit. When current flow through the vhold the sleeve 17 in itsretracted position when the circuits through the 'electromagnet coils are open. In this function; the spring 29 may be assisted by another spring 4-9 which may also be 7 comparatively li ht and may be connected with .1

the upper endof the lever. i

For controlling the circuit for the electromag- With such positive operation 7 ;ing downwardly therefrom between springs 57 and 58, these springs tending to normally hold the head in position with the switch arms 51 and 52'disengaged from the contacts 54 and 55.

The operation of the switch S is automatically controlled conjointly by the operating conditions of'the engine and the movement of the electromagnet -A for actuation of the lever 31. The control of the switch by the operation condition of the engine is electromagnetically accomplished by an electromagnet structure T. This structure comprises a spool 59 of non-magnetic material carrying a coil 60, an armature or core 61 being shiftable in the bore of the spool.- 62 extending from the armature core carries a pin 63 engaging in the slot 64 in the upper end of the arm 65 extending upwardly from theswitch head so that when the stem 62 is shifted 1ongitudinally the switch head will be rotated for engagement of its contact'arms with the contacts 54 or 55. Normally when the switch S is open the armature "core 61 is to the left of the electromagnetic center of the coil and then when current is'sent through the coil the armature core'will be shifted toward the right for rotation of the switch head for engagement of the switch arm 51 with the contact 54. The return movement of the armature core 61 is mechanically accomplished. 'Iheelectromagnet structures A and T and the switch Smay be enclosed within a housing 66 through the side wall 'of which the stem 46 ofthearmature core of the electromagnet structure A may project for engagement withthe lever 31. Above the lever a bracket 67 extends from the-housing 66 and supports a pivot pin 68 for 'fulcruming a lever 69 'inter mediate its ends. 'At its lower end the lever has the pin 70 engaging inthe forked upper end 71 ,of thelever31'and at its upper end the lever 69 has a block 72 pivoted thereto which has the guide .channel 73 for receiving the outer end Y of the stem 62 of the armature core 61, this stem extending through the side of the housing 66.

relaxed. With thisarrangement, when the armature 61 is shifted electromagnetically outwardly the abutment 75 will engage with and compress thelspring 74 and when the lever 31 is rotated by the electromagnetic structure A for meshing of the motor pinion with the engine, the lever 69 will be rotated and the spring 74 will be further compressed, as shown in Figure 3. Then when the current flow through the coil 60 is interrupted and the armature 61 is released the spring 74 will expand and shift the stem 62 and the armaflow at this time: through the coil 44' will cause retraction of the lever 31 for disconnection of" The stem the motor from the engine and the lever 69 will be rotated to its normal position for withdrawal of the spring 74 from the abutment 75 whereupon the switch head 50 will be returned to its neutral circuit opening position by the springs 57 and 58. The circuit for the electromagnet structure T is primarily controlled preferably by the ignition switch I. This switch is shown as comprising the switch blade '76 connected by conductor 76' with the positive terminal of the battery B, and two switch buttons '77 and 78 are provided for the switch blade. The switch button or contact 77 is shown connected with one terminal of the primary winding of an ignition coil D, the other terminal of the winding connecting with the circuit breaker arm 79 which engages the breaker cam 80 connected with the ground. The other switch contact 78 is connected by conductor 81 with one terminal of the winding 60 of the electromagnet structure T, the other terminal of this winding being grounded. However, the energizing circuit for the structure T should be opened as soon as the engine has been started and is self-operating in order to release the armature 61 for mechanical operation of the switch S and disconnection of the motor M from the engine by the electromagnet structure A. I have shown a structure G responsive to the vacuum in the engine manifold 10 for automatically governing the energizing circuit for the structure T. The structure G is shown as comprising the housing walls 82 and 83 connected together by flanges which secure the periphery of a diaphragm 84. The diaphragm divides the housing into two chambers 85 and 86, the chamber 86 being vented to atmosphere through the opening 87. The chamber 85 is connected by suitable duct 88 with the engine manifold 19.

The diaphragm carries a contact 89 opposed to the contact 90 carried by the housing wall 82 but insulated therefrom. When the engine is at rest or is being turned by the starting motor the manifold suction will be too low to infiuence the diaphragm 84 and the contact 89 thereon will stay in engagement with the contact 90, but as soon as the engine has been started and is self-operating the suction will be materially greater and will then deflect the diaphragm 84 to disengage its contact 89 from the contact 90. The contact 89 is grounded while the contact 90 is connected by conductor 91 with a terminal of the coil 60. The conductor 76' extending from the battery B is connected by conductor 92 with the head 50 of the switch S.

Briefly summarizing the operation of the system, when the ignition switch I is open and the engine is at rest, the switch S is in its neutral or circuit-opening position and is so held yieldably by the springs 57 and 58, as shown in Figure 1.

For starting the engine the ignition switch I is moved into engagement with the terminals 7'7 and 78 for connection of the ignition system and for closure of the circuit for the electromagnet T, this circuit being from the battery through conductor '76, the ignition switch, conductor 81, coil 60, conductor 91 and the engaging contacts 90 and 89 of the governor device G. The armature 61 wfll be shifted outwardly to the center of the coil 60 and the switch head 50 will be rotated and the switch arm 51 engaged with the contact 54 whereupon current flows from the battery through the conductors '76 and 92, switch arm 51 and contact 54 and through the coil 44 to ground and the armature 45 of electromagnet structure A will be shifted outwardly and the lever 31 will be rotated to cause inward shift of the sleeve 17 and meshing engagement of the motor pinion 25 with the engine gear ring 16. As soon as this meshing engagement has been established the lug 37 on the lever 31 depresses the switch plug 36 for closure of the motor circuit extending from the battery through the contacts 39 and 40 and through the motor windings to ground and the engine is now being turned by the motor for starting thereof.

Upon outward shift of the armature 61 of the electromagnet T the abutment 75 initially compressed the spring 74 and then when the lever 69 was rotated by the outward swing of the lever 31 the spring 74 was finally compressed, the relative positions of the parts during starting of the engine by the motor being illustrated by Figure 3.

As soon as the engine has been started and is self-operating the vacuum in the manifold will become sufiicient to withdraw the diaphragm 84 for separation of its contact 89 from the contact 90 and opening of the energizing circuit for the electromagnet T. While this circuit is closed the magnetic effort on the armature 61 is sufficient to resist inward shift of the stem 62 on armature by the compressed spring '74, but as soon as the circuit is opened then the spring becomes effective and the stem and armature are shifted inwardly beyond their normal position for rotation of the switch head 50 and connection of the switch arm 52 with the contact 55 after disengagement of the switch arm 51 from the contact 54 and the parts are then arranged as shown in Figure 4. The circuit through the coil 44 will now be broken but the circuit through the coil 44' will be closed and the armature 45 will be drawn inwardly for positive rotation of the lever 31 back to normal position with the motor pinion 25 unmeshed from the engine gear ring 16, the motor circuit having been opened by release of the lever abutment 37 from the switch plug 36. Such retraction of the lever 31 will rotate the lever 69 back to normal position in which the spring '74 is withdrawn from the abutment '75 on the stem 62 and then the spring 5'7 acting against the arm 56 will swing the switch S back to normal, circuit opening, position as shown in Fig. 2.

The armature 45 when shifted inwardly'exerts a powerful pull on the lever 31 assisted by the springs 29 and 49, the motor being thus rapidly unmeshed from the engine, and the springs then hold the motor pinion in its unmeshed position. As before stated, the springs may be comparatively light and of just sufficient strength to hold the motor pinion in unmeshed position in order that the spring resistance will not offer too much resistance to the outward shift of the armature 49 for swing of the lever for movement of the motor pinion into meshing engagement with the engine gear ring.

So long as the engine is self-operating withthe vacuum of sufficient strength to keep the governor switch G open, the starting motor will remain disconnected, but should the engine stall or accidentally stop the governor switch will reclose the circuit for the electromagnet T and the engine connection cycle will be repeated for automatic restarting of the engine.

Upon stalling or accidental stopping of the engine, the circuit for the electromagnet T will be closed, but the time required for functioning of the electromagnets and the levers will be sufficient to permit the engine to come substantially or fully to a complete stop before the motor pinion is meshed with the engine gear ring and the rnoe tor switch is closed. Should the engine still be turning when the governor switch is reclosed and the motor pinion is moved into mesh with the engine gear ring, the pinion and the overrun clutch shall rotate independently of the motor shaft until the motor switch is closed.

, While I have shown and described a pressure control unit G as illustrative of a control unit whose actuation depends upon the operation or non-operation of the engine, it will be understood that the present invention is equally useful with any standard type of control unit such for example as a mechanical governor or a unit connected in an electrical circuit or" the engine which shifts from one position to another because of operation or non-operation of the engine; V

I do not desire to be limited to the exact construction and arrangement, and operation shown and described as changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: V 1. The combination with a hydrocarbonengine anda starting motor therefor, of a driving train between said motor and engine, and an electromagnet structure furnishing the power for positively closing said driving train for starting of the engine by the motor and for positively opening said train for disconnecting the motor.

2. In combination, a hydrocarbon engine, a starting motor therefor, coupling means for coupling said motor to the engine for starting of the engine by the motor, an actuator for said coupling means, an electromagnetic device for operating said actuator comprising two winding sections and an armature responsive to the magnetic fields set up by said windings and connected with said actuator, current supply circuits for said windings, and a switch operable to selectively close said circuits through said windings for positive movement of said actuator by said armature for coupling or uncoupling movement of said coupling. V

3. In combination, a hydrocarbon engine, a starting motor therefor, coupling means for coupling said motor to the engine for starting of the engine by the motor, an actuator for said coupling means, an electromagnetic device for operating said actuator comprising two windingsectionsand an mrnature responsive to the magnetic fields set up by said windings and connected with said actuator, current supply circuits for said windings, a switch operable to selectively close said circuits through said windings for positive movement of said actuator by said armature for coupling or uncoupling movement of .said coupling, an electromagnet comprising an energizing winding and an armature member connected with said switch, closure of said energizing winding causing movement of said armature and of said .switchfor operation of said actuator by said electromagnet device for movement of said coupling means to coupling position, and means effective upon opening of said electromagnet energizing circuit for moving said switch for operation of said'actuator by said electro-magnet device to move said coupling means to uncoupling position.

i. In combination, a hydrocarbon engine, a starting motor therefor, coupling meansfor coupling said motor to the engine for starting of the engine by the motor, an actuator for said coupling means, an electromagnetic device for. operating said actuator comprising two winding sections and an armature responsive to the magnetic fields set up by said windings andconnected with said actuator, current supply circuits for said windings,,-a switch operable to selectively close said circuits through said windings for positive movement of said actuator by said armature for coupling or uncoupling movement of said coupling, an electromagnet having an energizing circuit and adapted upon closure of said circuit to move said switch for operation of said actuator by said electromagnet device to move said coupling means to coupling position, and mechanical means controlled by the coupling movement of said actuator to move said switch for operation or said actuator by said electromagnetic device to uncouple said motor from the engine upon opening of said electromagnet energizing circuit.

5. In combination, a hydrocarbon engine, a starting motor therefor, movable coupling means for coupling said motor with said engine for starting thereof, an electromagnetic actuator comprising ,two energi ing coils and an armature, a connection for transmitting the movement of said armature tosaid coupling means, energizing circuits for said coils, a switch movable to selectively close said energizing circuits for movement of the armature, in one direction to cause movement of said coupling means for connection of said motor with said engine or for movement in the oppsite irection for movement of said coupling means for disconnection of the motor from the engine, an electromagnet having an armature connected with said switch and a coil, an energizing circuit for said electromagnet coil, a manually operable switch for primarily closing said energizing circuit for said electromagnet for operation of said switch by the electromagnet armature for response of the actuator to cause coupling of the motor to the engine for starting thereof, an automatic switch for said electromagnet energizing circuit adapted to automatically open said circuit as soon as the engine has been started, where by said electromagnet armature will be released, and means for then actuating said switch for operation of said electromagnetic actuator to cause disconnection of the motor from the engine.

6. In combination, a hydrocarbon engine, a starting motor therefor, coupling means for coupling said motor to the engine for starting or the engine by the motor, an actuator for said coupling means, an electromagnetic device for operating said actuator comprising two winding sections and an armature responsive to the magnetic field set up by said windings and connected with the actuator, current supply circuits for said windings, a switch operabie to selectively close saidcircuits thru said windings for positive movement of said actuator by said armature for coupling or uncoupling movement of said coupling means, an electromagnet comprising a winding and an armature connected with said in coupling of the motor to the engine, means controlled by the electromagnetic device for causing said spring to exerv energy on said switch tending to move said switch for operation of said electromagnetic device for uncoupling of the m0- tor 1e engine, the energized electromagnet preventing such operation by the spring, a governor switch for the electromagnet energizing circuit, and means controlled as soon as the engine has started for causing opening of said circuit by said governor switch whereby the elecgnet armature will be released and said ay become effective to cause movement ectrcrnagnetic device controlling switch for operation of said electromagnetic device to cause disconn ction of the motor from said engine.

"7. corrbination with a hydrocarbon engine, or" a starting motor therefor, electromagnetic means operable to positively connect said motor with the engine for starting thereof and to positively disconnect the motor from the engine, electrical circuitsjor said electromagnetic means, and means conjointly controlled by the engine and by the operation of said electromagnetic for controlling said circuits.

8. The comb ti with a hydrocarbon engine and a starting motor therefor, of a d iving train between said motor and engine, an electroi agnet structure furnishing the power for positively closing said driving train for starting of the engine by the motor and for positively opening said train for disconnecting the motor,

controlling circuits for said electromagnet structure, a switch for controlling said circuits, actuating means for said switch effective during closure of said driving train and tendin to operate said switch for operation of the electromagnet structure to open said driving train, means controlled by the operating condition of the engine to resist such movement of the actuating means while the engine is being started by the motor but for releasing said actuating means for operation when the engine becomes self-operating.

9. The combination with a hydrocarbon engine of a starting motor therefor, electromagnetic means operable to positively connect said motor with the engine for starting thereof and to positively disconnect the motor from the engine, electrical circuits for said electromagnetic means and a controlling switch for said circuits, an electromagnet connected with said switch and adapted upon energization to set said switch for operation of said electromagnetic means to connect the motor with the engine, an energizing circuit for said elec romagnet and a switch for said circuit, and actuating means effective during connection of the motor with the engine and tending to set said controlling switch for operation of the electromagnetic means to cause disconnection of the motor from the engine but being restrained by the electromagnet, opening of the electromagnet energizing circuit releasing said actuating means for setting of the controlling switch thereby.

KENNETH E. LYMAN. 

